Posts Tagged ‘pirates’

I am sending this e-mail because I for one am highly concerned with the state of the baseball team. I know most likely this will fall on deaf ears or that this will end up in the spam box, but I really need to send this e-mail either out of desperation for myself or for the fact that baseball has changed and its not what it used to be for the Pirates.

I understand that you sell out games with family night, and I understand that with the current amount of people in the seats are family members who can get good family deals. However, what are you doing for the real fans of this team? What are you bringing in that will create a buzz for the faithful who will buy tickets at any price or will support you to the end?

I mean, I look back all the way to the 1992, when you could have chosen between Bonds and Slyke, management chose an outfielder who no doubt was a fan favorite, and passed up on an elitist ball player, who turned into a mega monster of a hitter.

Why did it have to a decision as one or the other? Why not both? I mean later on in the years you signed Kevin Young and Jason Kendall to big contracts for hardly any payback from either one of them, and accepted their average play for years after that.

Or the fact that Van Benshoten(spelling) a power hitting first baseman/outfielder into a pitcher? I mean seriously what was the reasoning on that decision?

At this time I feel that you got lucky in the Bay trade, it was just another wash out for trading away another fan favorite(Brian Giles), and receiving, no name players in return in hopes of great fortune. Bay was no doubt a fan favorite, and I am surely going to follow his career whether it be in Boston or wherever else he lands, but at least he gave all he could for an organization, that has more interest in gaining fans through concerts and fireworks than good play.

So who’s next? Gorzo? Duke? Sanchez? Mclouth? It’s sad that a true fan of the sport speculates who the next person to leave is rather than anticipate what they will do with the future of the team.

I will negate to mention the likings of Oliver Perez and how he was handled with the team. Understand, that I love this town, I love this team, and live for black and gold, but I am sad to say that I would give anything to see the old pirates of the 60’s and 70’s play and dominate the field like they used to.

I suppose one day it will happen, but seeing as that I am 22 years old now, the team has been losing for 16 years, I fear that this long streak is a burden that is building like the Cubs or the Red Sox 90+ years without a championship.

I guess the only question I really have is, I understand your rebuilding, and I get that your trying to build a roster of young talent in the minors, but what are you going to do for the fans of your team that support you to the end, and are not concerned with fireworks, concerts, and all you can eat sections? I will be sending this letter to all newspapers and posting it on my blog, hope to hear a response. Thanks for reading and lets make 09 a productive winning year!

Pittsburgh Pirates fan. Honestly, I love them to death, I bleed black and gold for all sports. But, with baseball being my first true sports love, it’s hard to swallow that we are one of the worst teams around.

Yesterday was the home opener for the Buc’s and it was as thrilling as it could have been while losing. Going down by 7 runs and coming back really does show that the team has some spirit and confidence with their bats. Seriously though, I blame management for the loss yesterday. Freaking Bixler should have ran home when Bautista bunted regardless of what it was. It was far enough away from home and he could have gotten a huge jump on the pitch. Being as it was the bottom of the 9th it would have ended the game and sent everyone home with a smile on their face(except the Cubbies).

I blame management because, when the play went down everyone looked around confused and dumbfounded, so that means to me, that no-one was thinking suicide squeeze aside from Bautista, and his hit alone would have won the game for us. I would have much rather of seen the inning end that way rather than the next guy striking out and losing later in the 12th inning. Until plays like that smooth out and everyone is on the right page, maybe just maybe, the Pirates can come close to not losing 100 games.

I still think we need to spend more money and stop trying to farm within the organization. I mean come on, Van Benshochten was a 30 HR outfielder before the Pirates “Brains” decided ultimately he would be a great pitcher. Now look at him, he can barely pitch and will undoubtedly stay in the minors for the rest of his life.

It’s just disheartening, I would give anything to see the day in the life of the owner’s, honestly, the only reason they are keeping the team is to collect money at the end of each Pirate game regardless win or lose. I will not doubt one thing though. The Pirates are the best AAA Minor League baseball team in the MLB, and it’s not because of the players, it’s because of the money.